Anti-Life Bills and Resolutions of 2022

Anti-Life Bills 

HB 1464—Introduced by Representative Emmanuel ‘Chris’ Welch, but Chief Sponsor changed to Maura Hirschauer amended to be an anti-life bill on March 31, 2022—Sent to the Senate, Senate Sponsor Senator Elgie Sims—in Senate Assignments Committee 

Synopsis As Introduced

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning notices of cancellation.

House Floor Amendment No. 1

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Nurse Practice Act, and the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall not revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, refuse to issue or renew, or take any other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action against the license or permit issued under the Acts to a physician, registered nurse, advance practice registered nurse, or physician assistant based solely upon the license of a physician, registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant being revoked or disciplined by any state or territory for the provision of, authorization of, or participation in any health care, medical service, or procedure related to an abortion on the basis that such health care, medical service, or procedure related to an abortion is unlawful or prohibited in that state or territory, if the provision of, authorization of, or participation in that health care, medical service, or procedure related to an abortion is not unlawful or prohibited in the State. Effective immediately.

HB 4221—Introduced by Representative Barbara Hernandez on 11/16/21, but Chief Sponsor changed to Representative Kelly Cassidy (In House Rules Committee since 1/05/22) 

Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the Pregnancy Center Disclosure Act. Presents the findings of the General Assembly. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of pregnant women. Provides that a limited services pregnancy facility shall disseminate to clients on-site, and in any print and digital advertising materials, notice stating that the facility is not licensed as a medical facility by Illinois and has no licensed medical provider who provides or directly supervises the provision of services. Contains other notice requirements. Provides that the Attorney General shall bring an action to impose civil penalties of $500 for a first offense and $5,000 for each subsequent offense against a limited services pregnancy facility that fails to comply with the requirements of the Act. Provides that a private party may bring a civil action for injunctive relief to enforce the Act. Contains requirements for notice of noncompliance. Defines “limited services pregnancy facility”. Contains a severability provision. Contains other provisions.

HB 4146—Introduced by Representative Kelly Cassidy on 10/19/21

(This is meant to be the equal opposite to the Texas abortion ban.) 

Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the TEXAS Act-The Expanding Abortion Services Act. Provides that any person, other than an officer or employee of the State or a unit of local government, may bring a civil action against any person who: commits an act of sexual assault or domestic abuse or causes an unintended pregnancy, regardless of circumstances; knowingly engages in conduct that aids or abets a sexual assault or domestic abuse or causes an unintended pregnancy, regardless of circumstances; or intends to engage in that act or conduct. Provides that if the plaintiff prevails in an action brought under the Act, the court shall award: (1) injunctive relief sufficient to prevent the defendant from committing or engaging in acts that aid or abet sexual assault or domestic abuse or causing an unintended pregnancy; (2) statutory damages in an amount of not less than $10,000 for each act of sexual assault or domestic abuse or action that causes an unintended pregnancy the defendant committed or aided or abetted, of which not less than $5,000 shall be awarded to the plaintiff and $5,000 shall be placed in a special fund in the State treasury, known as the State Abortion Freedom Expansion Fund, to be used by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, to pay the costs of abortions for pregnant persons who travel to Illinois from states that prohibit abortions for the purpose of obtaining access to abortions in Illinois; and (3) costs and attorney’s fees. Establishes defenses and specifies venue. Defines “abortion”, “domestic abuse”, “pregnancy”, and “sexual assault”. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Contains a severability provision.

HB 4247—Introduced by Representative Barbara Hernandez on 12/03/21 Passed the House, Sent to the Senate, Senate Sponsor Senator Celina Villanueva—in Senate Assignments Committee 

Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the Public Higher Education Act. Provides that the intent of the Act is for the requirements of the Act to apply equally to the governing board of each public institution of higher education in this State. Defines “governing board of each public institution of higher education” and “public institution of higher education”. Adds provisions requiring each public institution of higher education to make emergency contraception available for purchase through at least one vending machine located on each campus under its jurisdiction; defines “emergency contraception”. Sets forth minimum requirements concerning the packaging, storage, cost, and dispensing of the emergency contraception. Effective immediately.

House Floor Amendment No. 2
Excludes the board of trustees of a community college district and a public community college from the provisions concerning emergency contraception. Provides that the vending machine must be located in an area of campus where students can access the emergency contraception on weekends or after class hours and that the price of emergency contraception may not exceed $40.

HB 5048—Introduced by Representative Anna Moeller on 1/26/22; Passed the House, Sent to the Senate, Senate Sponsor Senator Sarah Feigenholtz—in Postponed in Senate Health Committee 

Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that facilities licensed under the Act must offer to provide POLST-appropriate residents or their representatives an opportunity to execute the Department of Public Health Uniform POLST form within specified time periods. Defines “POLST-appropriate resident”. Requires that the offer to provide the form shall be made by a facility staff member or community partner who is able to discuss and prepare the form in accordance with institutional policy or by a qualified health care practitioner. Provides that the execution of a Department of Public Health Uniform POLST form shall not be a requirement for admission to any facility or a precondition to the provision of services by any provider of health care services.

Anti-Life (Non-Binding) Resolutions

HR 94—Introduced by Representative Dagmara Avelar on 2/16/21

Synopsis As Introduced
Supports the funding of Planned Parenthood.

HR 762—Introduced by Representative Anna Moeller on 3/25/22 (Placed on Calendar Order of Resolutions, not passed yet) 

Synopsis As Introduced
Congratulates Terry Cosgrove on his retirement from serving as the president and CEO of Personal PAC. Further commends him for his years of dedicated service.

HR 789—Introduced by Representative Camille Lilly on 3/31/22

Synopsis As Introduced
Declares a commitment to ensuring access to quality health care, including reproductive health care, for women in Illinois. Urges the Illinois Congressional Delegation to support federal legislation and other efforts to ensure women’s health and reproductive rights continue to be protected and upheld to the fullest extent. Opposes any effort to punish those who seek a constitutionally protected abortion. Condemns the efforts of those in Illinois and in other states, including Missouri, Texas, and Florida, to undermine women and their reproductive health. Calls on states across the nation to join Illinois in its commitment to women’s health.

HR 790—Introduced by Representative Margaret Croke on 3/31/2022

Synopsis As Introduced
Declares the belief that the Supreme Court’s decisions in Roe v. Wade and Griswold v. Connecticut were properly decided. Declares opposition to any effort to overturn, undermine, or weaken the precedents.